Sunday, August 10, 2014

FC Kansas City Fall in Regular Season Finale

From FC Kansas City

FC Kansas City lost 2-1 to the Chicago Red Stars in front of 2,111 fans at Benedictine University. Melissa Tancredi scored first for Chicago in the 9th minute then Christen Press in the 40th minute. Morgan Marlborough’s goal came for Kansas City in the 43rd minute of the match. This was FC Kansas City’s last regular season match until hosting a semifinal match on Saturday August 23rd. Chicago’s three points keep playoff hopes alive as the final weeks of the regular season approach.

Normally Kansas City starts off with a fiery attack that ends in a goal, but it was Chicago with that attack tonight. Press wound up for a shot that rookie goalkeeper Sara Keane was able to save. Then Tancredi came up from the side to contain the rebound and fire it right back at the net. The Red Stars were up 1-0 within the first ten minutes of the match.

Chicago had another close chance in the 23rd minute when Vanessa DiBernardo fired off a shot from outside the box. The shot went well over the net and hit the football field goal post. Chicago still led 1-0 but the Blues started to fight back.

Kansas City found a close opportunity minutes later in the 30th minute. Team leading scorer, Amy Rodriguez took on three Chicago defenders before launching a shot at the net. The beautiful shot bounced off the post and out still leaving Kansas City scoreless.

The Red Star’s second goal came when Press was carrying the ball to the outside in the 40th minute. Keane dove early in anticipation and Press saw her chance. She took a quick touch before sending it in to the net. Chicago looked to be up 2-0 headed in to the locker rooms.

Marlborough cut the home team’s lead in half two minutes later. Merritt Mathias carried the ball up the field and crossed in to Marlborough who was centered in the box. The Santa Clara product redirected the ball and put it in the upper corner beyond Karina LeBlanc’s hands. Kansas City got back in the game before halftime.

After the short break, both teams came back hungry for the three points. Lauren Holiday was seen taking shots from way outside the box all night. In the 54th minute, Holiday collected the ball stopped and took a shot from beyond the 18 yard line that went over the crossbar.

Chicago almost made the score 3-1 in the 62nd minute. Adriana Leon sent a bouncing shot in that hit the post and appeared to just cross the goal line. The referee called a no goal and the score stayed at 2-1.

Jen Buzckowski and Katrina Gorry tried to make a play work for Kansas City in the 88th minute. Buczkowski carried the ball through the center and just to the outside to find a running Gorry up the middle. Gorry took the shot but the ball rolled just wide. The final minutes came to a close and FC Kansas City would lose 2-1 to the Red Stars.

The Blues’ 2014 regular season is over with the loss in Chicago. From here, FC Kansas City will begin to prepare for the 2014 NWSL playoffs as the opponent is determined in the upcoming weeks.